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Dich drängte Müh und Plag Den lieben langen Tag? O Freund, ich sage nein, Du mußt im Irrthum seyn! Was hättest du so schwer zu tragen? Ist nicht manch süße Freud' Dir auf den Weg gestreut? Kannst du da klagen? Darfst du da zagen? Erheb' dein Angesicht Zum Himmelslicht! Auf, reiß dich schnell heraus, Verlaß das enge Haus! Komm mit mir in den Wald, Wo froher Sang erschallt, Wo hohe Eichenwipfel ragen! Lebt sich's nicht [licht]1 und schön Auf diesen freien Höhn? Kannst du da klagen? Darfst du da zagen? Erheb' dein Angesicht Zum Himmelslicht! Und horch, mit Einem mal Was klingt herauf vom Thal? [Noch]2 schöner als Gesang, Der lieben Glocken Klang! Vernimmst du wohl, was sie dir sagen? Sie rufen: Ewigkeit! Sie singen: Freudenzeit! Kannst du da klagen? Darfst du da zagen? Erheb' dein Angesicht Zum Himmelslicht!
Confirmed with: Morgenblatt für gebildete Leser, Nr. 34, 22 August 1838, page 809. In this publication, the poet is not indicated, but a single letter "R" appears at the bottom right-hand corner of the page. The authorship of Pfarrius comes from Marschner's score. Note: modernized spelling would require changing "seyn" to "sein", etc.
1 Marschner: "leicht"2 Marschner: "Weit"
Authorship:
- by Gustav Pfarrius (1800 - 1884), "Ermuthigung" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Heinrich August Marschner (1795 - 1861), "Ermuthigung", op. 185 (Vier Lieder für Bass (oder Alt) mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1859 [ bass or alto and piano ], Offenbach, André [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Encouragement", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Jeffrey Williams [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-09
Line count: 33
Word count: 139
You have been plagued by toil and vexation All the livelong day? Oh friend, I say you nay, You must be in error! What heavy weight did you have to bear? Was not many a sweet joy Strewn upon your pathway? ..Can you lament? Dare you be apprehensive? Raise your face To the light of Heaven! Arise, tear yourself out of your abode, Leave your confining house! Come out into the forest with me, Where joyful songs resound, Where the lofty tops of the oaks loom! Does one not live brightly and beautifully Upon these free heights? ..Can you lament? Dare you be apprehensive? Raise your face To the light of Heaven! And listen, what has suddenly Sounded from the valley? More beautiful than singing, The dear pealing of the bells! Do you discern what they are saying to you? They call: Eternity! They sing: Time of joy! ..Can you lament? Dare you be apprehensive? Raise your face To the light of Heaven!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Gustav Pfarrius (1800 - 1884), "Ermuthigung"
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-09
Line count: 33
Word count: 163